Paper-folding machine



(No Model) W. DOWNING. PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 14, 1896.

WITNESSES:

ANDREW IGIAIIII. H'MQWKSN! "GUILD-Q INVEN T01? UNITED STATES PATENTUEEicE.

XVELLINGTON DUWNING, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PAPER-FOLDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,111, dated January14, 1896.

Application filed December 17, 1894. erial No. 532,114. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, WELLINGTON Down- ING, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at- Erie, in the county of Erie and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFolding-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to folding-machines; and it consists in certainimprovements in the construction thereof, as will be hereinafter fullydescribed, and pointed out in the claim.

The invention is illustrated. in the accompanying drawings as follows:

Figure 1 shows a plan of a two-fold folder embodying my invention, thetop being removed to better show the parts. Fig. 2 shows a pair offolding-rolls in section, with the conveying-tapes and their carryingmechanism in proper position relative to said rolls, the arrangement andconstruction of these parts being the especial subject of myinvention.

A marks the frame of the machine; 13 B, the first-fold rolls; B B, thesecond-fold rolls; G, the starter for the first fold; C, the starter forthe second fold; Z1 1), intermeshing gears at one end of the first-foldrolls for insuring an equal speed in the two rolls, and b I) like gearsat one end of the second-fold rolls. The mechanism for drivin g therolls actuating the starter, 650., may be of any desired construction.As shown they are as commonly used.

At the side of the first-fold rolls opposite to that from which thesheets are to be conveyed is a journaled tape-carrying shaft D having agear (1 thereon, near its end, and in the same plane with the gears atthe end of the first fold rolls. Between this shaft and the adjacentroll is an intermediate shaft D having a gear (1 keyed thereon, near itsend, which gear (2 meshes with the gear Z) of the adjacent folder-rolland also with the gear (Z forming an intermediate to said gears. On theshaft D are tape-spools d and on the shaft D are intermediate tapespools(Z The conveying-tapes E pass in the direction of the arrows shown inFig. 2 around the spool under the spool (1 under the first-fold rolls,

overand beyond the second-fold rolls, around loose spools f on a shaftF, and back to the place of beginning. It will be noted by following thedirection of the rolls and gears thereon, the gear d and gear d (shownby arrows in Fig. 2) that the spools (Z and d rotate in a direction toproperly accomplish this movement of the conveying-tapes.

A similar arrangement of shafts, gears, drive-spools and tapes is usedin connection with the second-fold rolls; but as their construction andoperation are identical with those of the same parts described inconnection with the first-fold rolls they are not in this connectiondescribed in detail.

Hitherto, so far as I am aware, the conveying-tapes for carrying thesheets from the folding-rolls have been passed around one of thefolding-rolls B or 13, passing between the rolls with the sheets to befolded. This construction is objectionable for various reasons, amongwhich may be mentioned a tendency of the sheets buckling and smutting,which often happens when a joint, as e, in the tape, (shown in Fig. 2,)which is necessarily thicker than the rest of the tape, passes throughbelow the rolls with the sheet. This is sometimes obviated by makinggrooves in the roller on which the tapes run and placing the tapes inthem; but this is objectionable as it does not make so satisfactory afold, which defect becomes especially noticeable when many folds of thesheetare made. A further objection is the effect of the starterknivescutting or nipping the joints if the feeder misses a feed and the knifecomes in direct contact-with the tapes.

\Vith my construction folding-rolls may be used and be perfectlyadjusted to pass only the paper itself. This insures a perfectly evenfold in all instances. My construction also permits of the use ofmetallic fasteners for the joints of the tapes, as an enlargement of thetapes at the joints does not in my construction affect the perfectoperation of said tapes. From this it will be seen that the main objectof my invention is to provide means independent of the folding-rolls forcarrying and driving the conveying-tapes, so as to 0b Viate the passageof the tapes between the folding-rolls.

hat I claim as new is- ICO The combination with the folding rolls of afolding machine; and the conveying tapes for carrying the sheets fromsaid rolls; of an intermediate shaft at the side of said folding rolls,for aligning and driving said tapes; a main shaft for carrying anddriving said tapes; means of supporting said tapes in proper relativeposition immediately beneath the delivery point of the rolls; gears onthe folding 10 rolls; an intermediate gear earried by the intermediateshaft meshing the gear on the adjacent folding roll; and a gear on themain shaft meshing the intermediate gear.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses,

XVELLIN GT ON DOYVNING.

\Vitnesses:

H. O. LORD, WM. MARKs, Jr.

